Alva Review-Courier -

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has endorsed Democratic state Sen. Laura Kelly in the Kansas governor's race.

Kelly touted the backing of Sebelius as the Kansas Democratic Party began an annual two-day convention Friday in Kelly's hometown of Topeka.

Sebelius served as Kansas governor from 2003 until she became former President Barack Obama's HHS secretary in April 2009. She remains influential in Democratic Party circles.

Kelly is part of an already crowded race for the Democratic nomination.

Rival Democratic candidate and former state Agr...